Will the USWNT be able to beat Marta and Brazil and take home gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?

Happy Wednesday! The Olympic men’s and women’s football finals are now underway with the USWNT in Saturday’s gold medal battle against Brazil, with hosts France taking on Spain on Friday to close out this Paris Games tournament. This is Jonathan Johnson with your midweek update.

📺 Foot correction

Always US/East

Wednesday August 7
🤝 Friendly: Inter vs. Al-Ittihad, 2:30 PM ➡️CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇺🇸 USL: Detroit City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7:00 PM ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🏆 Leagues Cup: LAFC vs. Austin FC, 10:30 PM ➡️ MLS Season Pass

Thursday August 8
🥉 Men’s Olympic bronze: Egypt vs. Morocco, 11am ➡️ Peacock Premium/Telemundo
🏆 Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 PM ➡️ MLS Season Pass
🏆 Leagues Cup: Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca, 9pm ➡️ MLS Season Pass/FS1/TUDN

⚽ The forward line

🇺🇸USWNT and the Paris Olympic date in Brazil

The U.S. women’s national team will compete for the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games on Saturday after Emma Hayes’ side defeated Germany 1-0 in overtime thanks to a goal from Sophia Smith on Tuesday. The only goal of the Lyon encounter came after 95 minutes when Mallory Swanson put Smith ahead for the first time despite the efforts of Ann-Katrin Berger and Felicitas Rauch. Smith’s third goal of the tournament set up a clash with Brazil, who blew away Spain 4-2 in Marseille, and the Stars and Stripes are back in an Olympic gold medal match for the first time since their 2012 success in London. It also took a stunning late save from Alyssa Naeher to avoid penalties and secure the narrow victory and the chance to go for the top prize in the capital this weekend.

Sandra Herrera player ratings indicated that she was impressed not only with Naeher and Smith, but also Naomi Girma in the USWNT’s hard-fought win over the Germans, but also recognized Hayes’ ability to adapt to some unexpected absences for the DFB Frauenteam. Sam Coffey’s return from suspension and Tierna Davidson’s availability after injury meant the English tactician could go with her preferred starting XI for this tournament. It wasn’t always vintage, but tactical and personnel changes mid-match ultimately ensured a gritty and determined success over 120 minutes at the Groupama Stadium.

• Herrera about Alyssa Naeher: “Forced a save in the opening 20 minutes and helped the defense stay organized as Germany worked in transition. Made good decisions in extra time to collect the ball and keep the team in a good place on the scoreboard. Made the save of the match late in the second half of extra time with her left foot on a ball that was sure to go in.” Rating: 7.5
• Herrera about Naomi Girma: “Anchored the backline while the defenders functioned in a fluctuating three-player backline. Came into the penalty area with a big tackle early in the first half. Maintained the shape in the second half and also had good decision-making in choosing to spearhead attacks, even in extra time.” Rating: 8
• Herrera on Sophia Smith: “Combined well with Lavelle and Swanson and tried to get into the final third after long passes. Had her pocket picked a few times in the opening 45 minutes but didn’t let that affect her movement throughout the match, even in extra time when she goal scored.” Rating: 8

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🔗 Link play in midfield

🥇 The Olympic rematch of France and Spain for the 2024 European Championship

In men’s Olympic football, despite the USMNT’s exit in the earlier rounds, the final is now set to take place on Friday between hosts France and UEFA Euro 2024 winners Spain, after Les Bleus defeated Egypt 3-1 after extra time and La Roja Morocco defeated 2-1, trailing the Atlas Lions in Marseille. The French also fell behind for the first time this entire tournament against the Pharaohs in Lyon, before recovering through two goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and an extra goal from Michael Olise. Fermin Lopez and Juanlu Sanchez did the damage for the Spaniards at Stade Velodrome, hosting their gold medal match in Paris with the home country and confirming it will be a bronze at best for the Moroccans or the Egyptians.

Bronze Medal Match: Egypt vs. Morocco (Thursday)

There is no shame in finishing third ahead of Morocco or Egypt, as neither can match the better reputations of France and Spain. The Moroccans still have plenty to play for, especially Soufiane Rahimi who scored his sixth tournament goal to make it 1-0 against La Roja, meaning he has scored at least once in every Olympic match so far this edition. The 28-year-old can further add to his tally in the bronze medal match against the Pharaohs, who could make history if they manage to secure a third-place finish for the first time ever, but they will have to do so without the suspended Omar Fayed.

Gold Medal Match: France vs. Spain (Friday)

Friday’s meeting between France and Spain is not only a rematch between these two after their UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final, in which eventual winners La Roja came out on top, but it is also a chance for one of these two to to win a second Olympic gold medal. with the Spaniards owning three silver medals, including their 2020 crop. Les Bleus have just one of each, the most recent coming 40 years ago in 1984, eight years before Spanish men’s football’s first triumph. This summer has been breathtaking so far for La Roja with the European Championship and an Under-19 European Championship to their name and now also a chance to taste Olympic success. Thierry Henry’s hosts can call on the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has scored four goals so far this tournament, and Michael Olise, who has scored two himself, but has added four more. The Parc des Princes beckons for these two, although it is unlikely to make a big dent in the medal hunt with the US and China well ahead of the French and the Spaniards way back in 18th place.

🔗 Top stories

🚫 Matarazzo snubs USMNT: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga-based American boss Pellegrino Matarazzo has stated that he intends to continue in Germany with the UEFA Europa League contenders after reported interest in US Soccer.

😫 Atleti’s Alvarez risk: Diego Simeone’s The Spanish team goes for Julian Alvarez from Manchester City with the Argentina international being run into the ground by club and country despite lifting the trophies.

🤔 Sancho to PSG: Has the Manchester United star to Paris After a fruitful period on loan at Borussia Dortmund, does it make sense for England international Jadon Sancho, the French champions or the Red Devils?

💲 Barcelona close Olmo: Now Xavi Simons has been secured by RB Leipzig, the Catalan giants Barcelona is closing in on a $60 million deal to sign Spanish international and Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo from the German team this summer.

🖊️ Early EPL impressions: What is made of the atmosphere around the big boys from the Premier League Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur so far this pre-season?

💰The Back Line

💵 Best guess

• UCL Qualifiers: Panathinaikos vs. Ajax, Thursday, 2:00 PM ET
  💰 THE CHOICE: Ajax wins and both teams score (+450) — The UEFA Champions League doesn’t start for most people until the group stages begin, but the pre-qualifiers often provide just as much – if not more – drama and there are some very decent clubs already competing even if they haven’t even arrived yet their home game started. competition campaigns. Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are 2-1 down after the first leg of their UCL qualifier with Lille OSC after Tuesday’s match in France and Thursday sees another match infused for us as Greek side Panathinaikos take on fallen Dutch giants AFC Ajax. This promises to be a spirited affair with a few goals thrown in for good measure, and the Eredivisie will want to see its clubs gain ground in the French Ligue 1 in the UEFA coefficient from the start. Don’t be surprised if Francesco Farioli’s side achieve a result in a style that doesn’t necessarily match the stylistic beliefs of his new club.

For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss CBSSports.com’s betting homepage.

📺 What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network

☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10am): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest football storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast formso you never miss an episode again.

3️⃣ Attacking third (Monday, Thursday): The leading ladies football podcast And social brand is now a live studio show. The NWSL season is back and our coverage of the women’s game is stronger than ever. Our analysts will analyze the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic seasons throughout the year. And don’t miss it Wednesday livestreams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.

⚽ Call it whatever you want (Monday evening): A weekly podcast featuring Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and co. cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also watch the show live every Monday at 11 a.m. ET on YouTube.

🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the latest place for fans to keep up to date with all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the best football leagues and all the unmissable goals from the day’s action, which starts on Thursday and airs for seven days a week.

📺 How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel solely focused on providing unparalleled coverage of all the top football leagues worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports App, Pluto TV And Biggest+.